Direct donations involve much less administration and are therefore more valuable to us. However, if you wish to donate in this way, CAF cheques or vouchers should be made payable to 'British Red Cross' and sent to: British Red Cross, UK Office, 44 Moorfields, London EC2Y 9AL. Please include a note explaining whether the donation is for a specific appeal. We are unable to accept CAF cards through our website. However, you can donate using your CAF card by calling our Supporter Care Line on 0300 456 11 55 or by visiting CAF Online.

No. Whenever possible, we buy the items we need to respond to an emergency in the affected country or in the region. This benefits the local economy (by helping local markets and traders) and allows us to take into account local tastes, traditions and culture.

Local purchasing also helps us reduce transport costs and speed up delivery times. Very often the cost of transporting a "free" donation from the UK is more than the total value of the donation itself.

We purchase goods of a standard specification and quality so that our principles of impartiality and neutrality are not jeopardised. We do this because beneficiaries might feel they have been treated unfairly if they receive something that is different from their neighbour or, worse still, those on an opposing side.

The same applies to our work in the UK because in an emergency situation, it is important for us to ensure we respond quickly. In these circumstances, it is generally easier to distribute goods from pre-allocated stock that has already been sorted, some of which will be taken from stock held in Red Cross shops.

With regard to donations of food: we have to cater on a very large scale so it is difficult for us to effectively utilise miscellaneous gifts of food. However, we are very fortunate to benefit from the generosity of corporate partners such as Tesco who often donate what we need as part of their charitable giving.

For this reason, we only accept donated goods for resale in the UK, through our chain of shops. Find your nearest shop by entering your postcode in the near you search box.

The best and easiest way to help the Red Cross is to support us with a donation of money. Money can be instantly transferred and converted into whatever is most needed, anywhere in the world. One of the most efficient ways to give is by making a donation online.

The Red Cross only issues medicines that are on the World Health Organisation (WHO) Essential Drugs List. These are all generic in nature and are familiar and known to most medical staff worldwide. In an emergency situation this is vital in ensuring the highest standard of care for people who need our help. The best way to support an emergency appeal is with a donation of money and one of the most efficient ways to give is by making a donation online today.

Yes. Giving in celebration of a wedding, civil partnership or birthday is a great way to make your special day even more meaningful. Just ask friends and family to donate to the Red Cross instead of giving a traditional gift.

Please do contact us if you want to support a particular area of our work, or would like some ideas about how to put together donation materials.

We can also create a personalised donation page on our website, so that your friends and family can donate to us online.

Contact us

To make a donation in lieu of presents, discuss this type of giving or request a personalised donation webpage, please call supporter care on 0300 456 11 55 or email supportercare@redcross.org.uk.